Started the day with a breakfast in the rooftop restaurant at the hotel before a day touring Nice.
View of Nice from the hotel rooftop restaurant
Got on buses for a tour of Nice. One interesting fact is that Nice has been a place where royalty and upper classes from England and Russia came to spend the winter. This history is reflected in the attitude of the citizens. Overall, they are pleasant and willing to help tourists. Nice is very hilly as it is where the Alps begin.
Us at overlook of Nice and the Mediterranean
From the overlook we had a great view of the narrow entrance to the harbor where the Pacific Princess struct the breakwater in 2016 abruptly ending our cruise. Our first visit to Nice was during a strong thunderstorm so we didn’t see much as we were dodging the storm by ducking into buildings.
Scene of the crime in 2016
Had a wonderful lunch at a restaurant in the vegetable market. They had a Nice specialty, Sooca, a flat pancake made from chickpeas which was delicious. They also had Buckwheat galettes that were also very good. Walked around and saw a reconstructed bell tower from the original Franciscan Monastery and a fountain with Apollo.
Bell Tower in Old Town
Apollo Fountain
Rested a little and the took a walk for some cappuccino. Did a little Christmas shopping and checked out the restaurant for dinner. We had paella and it was delicious.
Dinner
Back in the room and getting ready for tomorrow’s all day trip to Monaco and Monti Carlo.